NAVY LEAGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16824, 13 October 1916, Page 7

NAVY LEAGUE.

OTAGO BRANCH. A meeting of the executive of the aibove at the Education Board office yesterday afternoon was attended by Messrs J. A. Johnstone (chairman), W. J. Morrell, P. Goyen, W. F. Edmond, F. 0. Bridgeman, N. Galbraith, P. R. Sargood, R. S. Black, apd Dr Marshall. Accounts amounting to £97 12s 3d were passed for payment. The Secretary reported that, smce the last meeting of the executive, lantern lectures have been given on behalf of the following schools: —Ravensbourne, Caversham, Normal, Waitaki Boys' High School, Musselburgh, Port Chalmers, Green Island, Mornington, Arthur Street, Albany Street, Maeandrew Road, Kaikorai, North-East Valley, Sawyers Bay, Concord. This closer the lantern lectures for the year. In all, 37 lectures have been given to an aggregate of 11,000 to 12,000 young people and adults The work of the league in this relation has, possibly, been more appreciated during tho past season than in previous years. Correspondence between tho secretary and tho Department of Internal Affaire makes clear that all sums c ent from Dunedin on account of the British Seamen's Dependents' Fund by the Otago Dailv Times (£6000) and the Otago branch (£7000) lias been received at the headquarers of the league in London. There is a further sum of £1100 4s 6d in hand, which, with another outside contribution yet to come, will be forwarded in due course. Every penny subscribed to the branch is transmitted to London, and will be there administered 'by tho league free of any deductions. Tlie Navy Loaguo and the Admiralty Committee are working in harmony, and there need bo no fear that the money sent from the dominion will not reach the right persons, and\ in the most expeditious as well as just way. As the result of an appeal to members for funds for the purchase of a Christmas box for each of the men of the crew of H.M.S. New Zealand, over £125 was received by the vicepresident (Mr Johnstone), Miss M. Ross, and the secretary. This will bo sufficient for tho purpose desired, and the head office has been instructed to make the necessary purchases. Over 70 school* have sent in essays for this year's competition, and these have been forwarded to tho examiner (tho Rev. W. Saunders), who will report upon them in due course.

On the motion of Mr Goyen, seconded by Mr Bridgeman, an appreciative vote of thanks to the secretary for his services was unanimously carried. The chairman remarked that the league's lectures probably constituted th<* mo«t lasting portion of the branch's work. seamen's dependents' fund.

The Secretary lead the following telegram from the Minister of Internal Affairs: —

" The following cablegram has been received from the High Commissioner: 'The Navy Relief Committee informs me that the cases requiring immediate help are comparatively few, and suggest holding a large proportion of the contributions until later, when more cases of real urgency are more numerous and more deserving of supplementary help. The committee is alio of opinion that the money cannot be more usefully applied than in providing for the education of the children, and suggests, if the donors approve, the setting aside of money for an education fund, the administration of which will be extended over a lengthened period. Please inform all donors, and whether they approve these suggestions. The secretary 'informs me that the Now Zealand contributions amoiint to double those of all others. Will you kindly advise at the earliest possible moment whether the donors approve of setting aside the money for the purpose named.' G W. Russell. It was resolved that the secretary be authorised to communicate with the Minister stating that the contribution of the Otago branch of the Na%y League, amounting in all to £14,410 19s 3d. has been placed in the hands of the Iload Office in London, to be dealt with absolutely at their discretion. It was further resolved that the executive of the Otago branch of the Navy League places on record its appreciation of the courteous and useful services rendered to this branch bv Mr C. W. Palmer, late secretary of the Wellington branch, throughout a period of several years. The chairman and secretory were authorised to make the necessarv arrangements for Trafalgar Day (Saturday, October 21).